By Nkechi Eze
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commenced a two-week Technical Assistance Mission on Post Clearance Audit (PCA) in partnership with the World Bank Group under the Accelerated Revenue Mobilisation Reform (ARMOR) Programme, as part of efforts to strengthen compliance management, enhance revenue assurance, and facilitate legitimate trade through modern audit practices.
The workshop, which is taking place at the Service Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, runs from June 1 to June 12, 2026.
Speaking on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, Assistant Comptroller-General Babatunde Olomu described the mission as a critical milestone in advancing the Service’s modernisation agenda and reinforcing its transformation into a technology-driven, intelligence-led, and globally competitive customs administration.
Olomu noted that modern customs administrations increasingly depend on intelligence-led, risk-based, and post-clearance interventions that encourage voluntary compliance while supporting economic growth and trade facilitation.
He explained that the mission would provide an opportunity to assess existing processes, identify operational gaps, adopt international best practices, and develop practical solutions to strengthen the Post Clearance Audit framework and overall compliance management system.
According to him, key focus areas of the engagement include risk-based targeting, case management, registry management, quality assurance, standardisation, and integrated audit systems.
He stressed that an effective Post Clearance Audit system enables Customs to move beyond transaction-based controls to a strategic compliance management approach that improves revenue assurance, facilitates legitimate trade, enhances transparency, and strengthens public confidence.
“This mission presents a valuable opportunity to critically assess our existing processes, identify gaps, learn from international best practices, and develop practical solutions that will strengthen our PCA framework and overall compliance management system,” Olomu said.
He commended the Comptroller-General for his sustained commitment to modernisation and capacity development, while also appreciating the World Bank and other development partners for their continued support towards Customs reforms.
Olomu further urged participants to actively engage throughout the programme and ensure that knowledge gained translates into measurable improvements in operational performance.
In his remarks, World Bank Task Team Lead, Moses Kajubi, said the mission was designed to strengthen the capacity of Post Clearance Audit officers through exposure to modern customs practices, practical audit tools, and internationally recognised methodologies.
Kajubi explained that participants would gain insights into global best practices, case management techniques, and compliance management strategies that could be adapted to Nigeria’s operational environment.
He emphasised the importance of leveraging technology, structured case management systems, and data-driven decision-making to improve audit quality, compliance monitoring, and trade facilitation outcomes.
“This engagement will equip participants with practical tools and global best practices that can be applied directly in the field to improve the effectiveness of Post Clearance Audit operations,” he stated.
Kajubi expressed confidence that the programme would strengthen institutional capacity and contribute significantly to the modernisation objectives of the Nigeria Customs Service.
Also speaking, Lead Consultant for the ARMOR Programme, Colonel Aloke Dutt, said the mission seeks to enhance trade facilitation, optimise revenue generation, and improve compliance management through a more structured and unified approach to Post Clearance Audit.
He highlighted the need for standardised audit methodologies, effective monitoring mechanisms, and the integration of data analytics into audit processes to improve accountability and operational efficiency.
Dutt also underscored the importance of leveraging technology-driven solutions such as the B’Odogwu platform and developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to support a competency-based audit system across the Service.
During a technical session, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Muhammad Jubril demonstrated the Post Clearance Audit process on the B’Odogwu platform, illustrating how officers can initiate audit reviews using Harmonised Commodity codes and other risk indicators.
In his closing remarks, Comptroller Muhammad Shattima encouraged participants to maximise the opportunities presented by the workshop and apply the knowledge acquired towards achieving the strategic objectives of the Nigeria Customs Service.
